Corporate Information

Information for Corporate Clients

Steve Clisby is a dedicated performer, composer, and producer. Born in California, he developed the foundations of his fused funk, jazz and R&B musical style. Based in Holland (Europe’s musical epicenter of the time) and touring extensively throughout Europe as part of the frontier R&B band ‘American Gypsy’.

He has worked and toured with some of the world’s best jazz, funk and R&B leaders (Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Hot Chocolate, Kool and the Gang, Crusaders, and Santana) He has collaborated and written for contemporary musicians such as Groove Armada re-recording ‘Whatever Whenever’ on their album (originally titled ‘Inside Out’) and Neneh Cherry covering ‘Golden Ring’ on the album ‘Man’.Show more...

His Music

Steve Clisby’s music promises to take you on a lyrical voyage that is sexy, smooth, ageless and bittersweet. These are just a few of the elements that describe the soulful storytelling of Steve Clisby.

Experience through his sensuous tone, the soul stirring heartbreak, the rebirth of love and the transformative healing of time and change. Indulge in the passionate interplay of soul, jazz and gospel. Let the voice of Steve Clisby take you on a journey that you’ve never been before.

Regular Performances

The Steve Clisby Trio

For events with style, panache and sophistication, the Steve Clisby Trio provides an elegant and soulful performance, conducive to connecting attendees with the transformative and uniting power of beautiful music.Show more...

Clisby’s forays into soul, funk and rhythm and blues are always steeped in the jazz tradition. With deep, silken tones and charming stage persona, the combo has unrelenting groove, courtesy of the engine room – bassist Alex Hewetson and drummer Kere Buchanan.

A wide repertoire, with flexible formats and budgets (also available as a 4, 5 or 6 piece ensemble), make the Steve Clisby Trio ideal corporate entertainment. Supremely polished and professional artists, they are a top-note feature at any event.

Past clients include:

– Rizer ‘Woodburn Creative Studios’
– Myer Fashion Launch with Jennifer Hawkins and Stella McCartney Fashion Launch
– Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur Of The Year – in every major Australian city
– Team Events
– Goldman and Sachs
– Multiplex Milestone Events
– National Australia Bank
– New Years Eve for Yakusan at The Opera House
– Performances at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Town Hall and an exclusive performance on the prestigious Stuart and Sons piano

Artist Background

The Steve Clisby story is largely unsung, but his are the classic hallmarks of a life lived in music and the stuff that dreams and careers are made of. The California native played the piano and saxophone from age seven and studied singing throughout high school. In the 70s, he and his fellow 17 colleagues took the Hendrix trail to Europe – and there they stayed. Based in Barcelona for a year, playing every stage in Spain, the group, American Gypsy, eventually made Holland their base. The stories of the entire band living in a one bedroom Amsterdam apartment may make your hair stand on its end – so too, did their original fusions of R&B, rock and electric jazz. A two-decade career ensued.Show more...

A record deal and release of the eponymous ‘American Gypsy’ resulted in a string of hits, numerous television appearances and a cemented position as the African American soul voice in Europe. They toured alongside Chaka Khan, Hot Chocolate, Kool and the Gang, Crusaders, Mothers Finest, Level 42, Santana and Frank Zappa, and Taj Mahal.

As a singer/songwriter/pianist/arranger/producer, Clisby continued to reinvent and renew, working with other artists and honing his songwriting. He collaborated with award winning producer/writer, Narada Michael Walden (Madonna, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey), Errol Brown (Hot Chocolate), and Ashley Ingram (Desree and Imagination). Groove Armada re-recorded ‘Inside Out’ as ‘Whatever Whenever’ and Neneh Cherry recorded ‘Golden Ring’ on her album ‘Man’. A highlight in 1996 was opening for Tina Turner on her Europe-wide tour of that year.

A chance meeting in 1999 precipitated a move to Australia. Since then he has established a reputation as a performer, producer, artist development specialist, lecturer and session singer, always in demand.